You are here

Bishop man found safe after search called in Reds Meadow area

A Bishop man was found safe, after a search was called in the Reds Meadow area yesterday.

On the morning of Feb. 23 the Mono County Sheriff Search and Rescue (SAR) Team was called out to check on the welfare of an overdue snowshoer.

Michael Gaffney, 47, of Bishop, began a snowshoeing trip on Tuesday, Feb. 22, from the Mammoth Lakes Basin to Reds Meadow to Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge. He intended his trip to be relatively non-stop, without a planned camp.

Mr. Gaffney called his wife at 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23, to provide an update and noted that he was fatigued from traveling through soft, deep snow that he encountered during the descent from Mammoth Pass. She became concerned and contacted the Sheriff’s Department, who, in turn, dispatched the SAR team.

A SAR snowmobile team launched from Main Lodge to investigate and encountered Mr. Gaffney on the road north of Pumice Flat. He was in good conditions, and after providing him with some additional water, the SAR team left Mr. Gaffney to continue his trip.